Urbis National Design Directors Glen Power and Paul Hardyman, joined Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Strelow and local Councillors on Friday 7 August to reveal their vision for the ultimate transformation of the Rockhampton riverfront.
The design aims to make the riverfront a ‘go to’ place for the community. It features an extensive riverfront path network surrounded by sub-tropical gardens that seamlessly link this valuable and underused public open space to the city’s historic central business district and cultural precinct. The transformation will create a place where families can enjoy cascading water features, public art and recreation by day, and entertainment by night.
In particular, the proposed re-development will include:
- state-of-the art, sustainable, wet play zone
- Wi-Fi available throughout the CBD
- boardwalk that includes shaded seating areas
- LED lighting to facilitate night time use
- a new fully accessible amenities block
- integrated public art
- interactive water features and elements such as functional art that will be integrated into the overall design
- spaces to allow for pop-up café facilities to support visitors to the wet play zone
- a new pedestrian focused Quay Street design incorporating outdoor dining zones, new planting including street trees, paved footpaths and paved road surface
- facilities to support the River Festival
According to Urbis Director Glen Power, the team worked closely with Rockhampton’s McMurtrie Consulting Engineers and the local council to deliver their objective of creating a highly activated mixed use urban environment that will be appealing to the entire community and anyone that passes through the city.
“We’re proud to have this opportunity to assist the Rockhampton Council by creating a design that will inspire the local community.”
“We truly believe this transformation will achieve the council’s goal to inject vitality back to the core of their CBD,” said Power.
Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Stelow unveils artists impressions of the Riverbank redevelopment on Quay Street along with Urbis Director Glen Power.
Photo: Chris Ison / The Morning Bulletin
The Rockhampton Council is seeking feedback from the public over a six week consultation period. The designs are available online and feedback can be submitted through the Riverbank Vision tab on the front page of council’s website, www.rrc.qld.gov.au.
For further information about Urbis’ involvement in this project or to discuss your urban design or landscape architecture requirements, please contact Glen Power on gpower@urbis.com.au
Media report regarding the announcement in the Morning Bulletin